Guy left his bluish boy-themed bedroom and headed downstairs. He stopped in the kitchen's door-frame, noticing the TV left on.
"Yes, you heard it right, folks!" the reporter, dressed as vampire, said. "New sizes, shapes and flavors - exclusively on All Hallow's Eve! Right in your neighborhood candy shop! Don't forget to buy as much as you can to treat yourself and your local trick-or-treaters!" the reporter winked and smiled, showing fake fangs. "And hurry up before they all run out! This is all for today, folks! Happy Halloween everyone!"
"Wow, the news reports are getting weird at times like this..." Guy said, entering the kitchen and beginning to prepare himself a bowl of cereal.
"Guy!" female voice called him, as he heard the sound similar to the heels tapping at the floor. "Mom finished decorating the bathroom and is looking for you!"
Guy turned his head from the bowl of cereal to the door to see his sister come in. She had a green make-up on her face and her hair, usually up, were now down and slightly disheveled. She wore a long black dress, held by a tight corset on her upper body and a belt on her waist. The dress ended slightly above her ankles, revealing high-heeled boots. She had a decorative broomstick in one hand and a witch hat in the other.
"Wow, looking nice, sis" Guy said with a whistle, but nothing could hide sarcastic notes in his voice.
"Oh thank you, dear brother" Kelly replied with the same sarcasm. "Now seriously, what are you doing? Why aren't you dressed? Aren't you going to celebrate Halloween?"
"I'm not going anywhere, sis" Guy replied. "I'm too old for trick-or-treating now... And who do you think I am supposed to dress as? SheZow?" he smirked at his own joke. "Well, I'm sure I can pull that look good..." he stopped as he noticed flames of rage in Kelly's eyes.
"You're unbearable, Guy..." she facepalmed. "And come on, you really want to spend a holiday like this at home?! I thought you're better than this..."
"And she told me about that girls mature earlier than boys..." Guy said. "I see you're a witch. Decided to finally show off your true self?"
"Very funny..." Kelly grumbled. "You, on the other hand, decided to be a complete disappointment... Oh, wait, you are like this every single day."
"Ugh, fine!" Guy said. "Let me finish eating and I'll find myself a dress to join you... Don't tell mom I refused at first." he looked around. "By the way, you told mother is looking for me..."
"Yes, she wanted to talk to you about going with me" Kelly said. "She wanted to tell you that you look after me." Kelly giggled. "As if I'd need a lookout from a little twin..."
Guy just looked at her, unamused.
"Guy, it's been an hour since you locked there!" Kelly knocked at Guy's room door. "Are you asleep there?"
"Just a few seconds, sis!" Guy replied from behind the door. Kelly irritatedly tapped her feet. Soon, the door got open.
"Observe the greatness, sister!" Guy said, making an epic pose. He was dressed in a light brown skintight crop top shirt with long sleeves and dark-purple leather pants. He wore purple black-trimmed vest above the shirt, fingerless gloves and combat boots. His hair were now slick and combed to the sides.
"Okay... Who are you supposed to be now?" Kelly asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Just the greatest fighter in "Street Fist Tournament 3", my favorite fighting game" Guy explained. "I thought you'd know, since you're a total geek..."
"Not in your silly games, Guy" Kelly replied. Suddenly, they heard a doorbell. As soon as twins arrived downstairs, their parents, dressed as Frankenstein couple, were there already. Droosha, the mother of the family, opened the door.
"Happy Halloween, Mr. and Mrs. Hamdon!" the familiar voice sounded.
"Maz! Glad to see you here!" Droosha said.
"I came for Guy and Kel-" Maz said, entering the house, but froze, seeing the twins. His eyes got locked on Kelly and her costume. Kelly seemed to also look at Maz's suit in awe. He was dressed in a black skintight shirt and matching baggy pants, supported by heavy belt. He wore fingerless gloves, combat boots and a long brown detective-like coat. His face was paintedred and he wore a headband with two elements on the top looking like two broken horns.
"Um, hello?" Guy broke the silence, clicking his fingers before Kelly's face. That snapped both back into reality.
"Ouh... Um... Cool suit, Maz" Kelly said. "I assume, Hellboy?"
"Yeah, thanks... I find him pretty cool and the movie is all nice too..." Maz replied, scratching the back of his head. "Your witch suit is also very good... It suits you well..."
"Thank you, Maz..." Kelly said, moving her eyes aside.
"Aw, Boxter, kids happy to see each other, isn't it wonderful?" Droosha asked, looking at her husband. He smiled and nodded.
"Indeed it is" he said. "So, what the kids are going to do?"
"We'll just be outside and find how to entertain ourselves, dad" Kelly said with a smile. "You shouldn't worry about us".
"That's great!" Droosha said. "Remember, boys - look after the only girl of the family" she winked.
"Hey, why not anyone suggests to look after the only boy of the family?" Guy complained, but everybody ignored him. The kids headed outside.
"Don't forget, you must come back before it's past ten in the evening!" Boxter reminded as the kids were going farther and farther away. "Oh great, now they have SheCow's suits for Halloween..." he grumbled as he noticed a bunch of kids dressed as SheZows. "When I was their age, the kids dressed as real heroes, not as a pink chaos bringer. She caused more damage than any criminal!"
"Stop complaining, honey" Droosha looked at her husband reproachfully and then smiled. "Better get ready to meet trick-or-treaters. Remember how we did it back in Pattersonn?"
"Oh yes, that's what I like in you, darling" Boxter smiled too, joining his wife's sinister look. "Let's show this city that Hamdons can be scary!"
Meanwhile, kids walked down the street.
"So, Maz, who are you gonna spend Halloween with?" twins asked in unison, which surprised even them.
"We mean, you're usually with us" Guy continued without Kelly. "I actually thought you're gonna spend it with your family, like, parents and siblings..."
"Oh, I... I'd rather spend it with you, guys. My family won't mind it at all..." he nervously laughed, obviously trying to hide something. Guy narrowed his eyes suspiciously, but Kelly placed a hand on his shoulder, thus silently telling him not to ask more unneeded questions.
"Anyway, where are we gonna go?" Maz asked.
"I have an idea" Kelly said excited. "I read in the news that for Halloween, the special ancient relic from King Arthur times will be brought in the museum. People say that there are the ancient writings nobody could understand..."
"Yeah, thanks, but I agreed to go not to spend the day looking at nerd stuff" Guy cut her off. "We'd rather try to get on Jack's Halloween party, he's throwing it for cool guys, so we'd fit there. Right, Maz?" Guy winked.
"Yeah, but I heard that they let in only those who got an invitation" Maz said, causing Guy to frown - he wanted his friend to play along, but Maz didn't get the clue. "So we're not gonna get in..."
"Wait, so you have to get an invitation to this party?" Kelly said surprised. "Dianne got one few days ago. But I didn't! Why?!"
"I think I know why, Kelly" Guy said with a mocking tone. "Because you're a total killjoy. Like last week, Ms. Povenmire said that we could have fun after taking notes. And everyone was excited about it, proceeding to take notes, but in the end you had to begin asking a lot of questions. They took up all the remaining time, and nobody had the fun they were promised. You sucked all the joy, Kel"
It was the moment he regretted his words, because he could read total resent and sadness on Kelly's face.
"I... I had questions, okay? No need to remind me of it..." she murmured, looking like she's about to cry. Guy began to worry. Suddenly, Maz jolted to Kelly, clasping on her hand.
"That's fine, Kelly" he said softly. "You know, actually, the museum sounds pretty good. I'll go with you"
"Wait... R-really?" Kelly said, smiling happily.
"Yeah! I'd enjoy it!" Maz replied and both headed down the street in the direction of the city's museum. Guy was standing there, stormed by guilty thoughts. But as soon as he realized he was ditched, he snapped back into reality.
"Hey! I'm sorry, Kel! Wait for me, guys!" he shouted, chasing them.
They arrived to the Megadale's Finest Local Museum - it's both the definition and the name of the museum itself. As they got inside, all three were shocked by the amount of people in the area.
"Wow, Kel, looks like this thing you talked about is really something cool, since so many people want to see it" Maz said in awe.
"And how are we supposed to get closer to see it as well?" asked Guy with a pouty face.
"Easy" Kelly smiled and began to swiftly sneak through the crowds. Maz and Guy followed her clumsily. Soon they all got closer to see the exhibition. There was a statue of a woman in long dress, pretty low-detailed, but suspiciously realistic in proportions. Nearby the monument, there was a small stone pillar with a green gemstone with a swirly ornament on it. There were mysterious writings on the pillar, the language was unlike any other existing.
Before the exhibits stood a rather tall man with slick brown hair and green eyes. He wore glasses and casual yet fancy clothes. Kelly's eyes shined as she saw him.
"Uwaaai, it's professor Lorey, one of the greatest archaeologists in the world! He was the one who found this relic" she whispered. Maz and Kelly exchanged confused looks - they never heard of him.
"Attention, everybody, please!" professor said loudly, and people stopped their fuss. "Thank you for coming to the museum tonight" he said, adjusting his hair. "You probably know who I am, but I'll still introduce myself. I am professor Herbert Lorey, an archaeologist. Few months ago, me and my research group discovered this peculiar pieces in the cave on the eastern coast of the Great Britain. And today, Megadale's Finest Local Museum allowed to present them at the exhibition for this spooky holiday, Halloween." Lorey was walking back and forth, looking confidently and proud. "According to our best analyses, they belong to the times of King Arthur, but they don't look like anything else found from that era. The best of minds of our group, including me, won't hesitate to spend dozens of restless nights to uncover all the secrets of that pieces, that I ensure you all in. Thanks for your attention! About additional information you can read in my recent book you can by with a seventy percent discount in the nearby shop. And hurry up - because I'm gonna head there soon, so first ten fortunate buyers would have their books signed..."
"We have to go there now" Kelly whispered excitedly "I must be the first one..."
"Now, any questions?" Lorey looked over the crowd. Kelly was ready to raise her hand, but suddenly, Guy raised his. "Yes, young man?" professor laid his eyes on Guy.
"Excuse me, Mr. Lorey" Kelly thought that Guy wants to embarrass her, but surprisingly, he sounded normal, like he really had a decent question. "There are writings on the pillar... Is there any decryption for them?"
"Oh yes, I totally forgot to mention it..." professor adjusted his necktie. "Unfortunately, young man, nobody still had decrypted these writings. This language is likely undiscovered yet, there's no other similar in all known data..." professor clapped his hands. "Now you all can go, people, and I have to hurry! Thank you for coming today, now goodbye! See you all in the bookstore!" he winked and headed down the scene, followed by loud applause of the crowd.
"Guy, I haven't expected this from you..." Kelly said to her brother quietly. "I thought you wanted to do your usual idiocy or something..."
"I had question, okay?" Guy said smugly to Kelly and headed to the exhibition.
"Guy what are you doing?" Kelly asked.
"Wanna take a closer look to that thing" Guy replied. "These relics must have something in them..."
"Just don't break anything..." Kelly muttered, while Guy crouched to look at the writings.
As soon as he laid his eyes upon them, SheZow ring on his finger emitted a faint glow. Guy felt a warm sensation in his head. He closed his eyes and shook his head a bit. When he opened them, he got pretty surprised - the writings were shifting, forming into the readable words in normal English.
"Guy, what's wrong with you?" Kelly asked, coming closer. "Don't tell me you want to do something with the writings." Maz slowly followed her.
"You won't believe me, Kel..." Guy murmured. "I think I can read them..."
"Wait, you what, dude?" Maz said shocked.
"I see it right now, there are words..." Guy placed his fingers on the stone with carved letters. "One encased in stone shall roam the Earth again, and only warrior, brave and pure, can stop the chaos reign, as once it happened, never forgotten, poisonous heart cracked with pink force, and if the evil is the victor, nobody else can stop the curse..." he stopped reading.
"Wow..." Kelly gasped. "It's so strange... Both the text and that you actually managed to read it..."
"Hey, dude, I found something else!" Maz said, pointing at the statue. "There are similar letters on it's base."
"Hm, let me look..." Guy said, approaching the statue. "Hm... There's... The name..." Guy looked closely at the shifting letters. "B... R... Broujah." (note: spelled "Broo-YAH")
As soon as he told it, the gem started shining brightly and the statue began to tremble. It was shacking so hard, that it was like a miniature earthquake around it, which thrown Guy and the others off their feet. The statue have shown cracks and began to fall apart, like snake or lizard skin while peeling. Moments later, the gem stopped shining and in place of the statue, a woman was standing still. She looked like she was in middle age, her brown hair were flowing down past her neck. She wore simple green dress with wide sleeves and a rope tied on her waist like a belt. Under the dress dark brown boots were peeking. Her face was painted like a scull. She breathed heavily and looked around. Her eyes were unnatural orange color.
"Finally..." she said with her voice shaking. "After more than a thousand years... At long last, freedom..." she stretched. "Such an interesting place..." she stepped down the scene. "People, tell me! Where I happen to be?"
"Um... You're in Megadale's museum, miss... Broujah" Maz told her, getting her attention.
"Hm... Megadale... Never heard of such a name before" she said casually. "Who is the king in this strange castle?"
"It's a museum, miss, not a castle. And the kings no longer in charge in the world" professor Lorey approached her, trying to take her hand, but she avoided his touch. "We're having democracy now, it's much better nowadays."
"De-mo-cracy..." Broujah spelled slowly. "Such a strange word. But so, no King, right?"
"Yes, right!" said professor, smiling widely.
"Great. Then I won't have to deal with the knights and royal magicians!" she said, raising her hands. "Nobody gonna stop me in returning witches to their old glory!"
"Uh oh..." Kelly whispered. Guy and Maz looked at her, now perfectly understanding what's going on.
"Let's begin with making some minions!" Broujah waved her hands, putting fingers into strange positions. Orange glowing circles appeared before her hands, full of unknown symbols. She stretched her hands up and moved them to the sides. Something similar to a portal appeared on the floor and a lot of strange creatures appeared from there. They all looked like gargoyles, but instead of being stone, they were pretty alive, though their skin was dense and gray, like stone. Some had bat-like wings and all of them had glowing orange eyes.
"Run for your lives!" yelled professor Lorey and rushed to the entrance. But as soon as he did, one of the creatures rushed after him and caught without much effort. It pierced his skin with its teeth, and professor began to change, slowly transforming. He grew in size, his skin became freenish and a lot of scars appeared on it, resembling stitches. As he stood up, he now was looking like Frankenstein's monster.
People began to shout and run and panic. Creatures immadiately started chasing them and pouncing, turning into more monsters. Some turned into the same Frankenstein beasts, others turned into something else - from zombies and werewolves to mummies and pale-skinned beasts with fangs, vampires.
"Looks like it's my time to go in" Guy whispered. "Kelly, Maz, get away from here, I'm gonna have some fun!" he hid behind the pillar. "You go girl!" the pink flash came out and Guy transformed into SheZow.
"Hey you, Evil Witch of the East!" SheZow shouted, jumping from behind her hiding spot and landing not far from the witch. "I know Halloween is a spooky holiday, but no real monsters allowed! Only costumes and movies!" she was making her best girly voice. Broujah looked at the heroine and her face distorted in anger.
"I know you!" she growled. "Once I was defeated by a pink-clad warrior... Amazonian... And you must be the successor. The line haven't stopped, I should've known that..." she smiled devilishly. "That's good though. Because at least I shouldn't search for a key, as it came right to me..." she let out a sinister laugh. SheZow was confused.
"What do you mean? What key?" she asked.
"Get her!" the witch yelled, and monsters jolted from their places right onto the heroine. She prepared her laser lipstick and got ready to fight back.
The beasts were strong, but the heroine was as well. One swing kick - and a werewolf was down. Tackle and heavy drop - and one zombie struck two his companions down the ground. Ribbon shot and pulled - and a big wingless gargoyle fell down.
"The bigger they are - the harder they fall" SheZow smirked as she made a Frankenstein's beast trip and crush down few other monsters.
"Impressive" Broujah muttered angrily. "You, the new mistress of the ring, is skilled and powerful. That's what I need in my plan, but at the same time, it makes you a not easy target..." she grinned insanely. "No matter! You still haven't seen the peak of my abilities!" she aimed her hands at SheZow, as the familiar orange disks appeared and turned into two powerful beams. SheZow sensed it and avoided successfully.
The witch spread her hands again. Around SheZow, the ground cracked and green spiky vines appeared from below. As they grew, the pumpkin heads appeared with evil glowing faces on them.
"Ugh, I never liked Jack'o'Lanterns..." SheZow groaned as the plant monsters attacked. She sliced their vine limbs with her Laser Lipstick, but one still managed to grapple her. She struggled to free herself, but to no avail.
"Hey creep, watch out!" the familiar voice sounded. SheZow noticed how Maz runs to her. He jumped and threw a pretty big rock right at the monster's head. As it cracked open like a real pumpkin, the beast let go off the heroine.
"Thank you, Maz" SheZow said.
"No problem" Maz smiled. "And now I'm Hell Boy, your sidekick."
"Alright, Hell Boy, let's deal with them!" the heroine said bravely, but soon noticed the huge horde of monsters surrounding them. "On second thought... We better run and think of a better plan!" She grabbed him and jumped. As they were in the air, she used her Ribbon Shooter to grapple onto the museum's wall and propel herself further in the air without losing attitude. As they landed near the entrance, she looked back.
"Kelly!" she yelled. "Where are you?!"
"Ah! Let me go!" the familiar voice sounded from the monster crowd. SheZow noticed how a Frankenstein's beast holds Kelly tightly as she struggles to free herself. SheZow rushed at super speed to her, throwing the monster off balance by a strong kick right in the head and grabbed the girl, quickly jolting back to the door.
"Thanks, I thought you'd leave me with them..." Kelly murmured.
"As if I let it happen" SheZow replied. "Mom and Dad gonna kill me in such a case..."
They were close to the door, but suddenly, SheZow tripped. She let her grasp off of Kelly, as she was quickly tangled by vines of new portion of Jack'o'Lantern vines. SheZow looked back to see that the same vines tangle over her legs.
"Not tonight, boys!" she cut the vines that were holding her with the Laser Lipstick and grabbed Kelly's hand, trying to prevent the vines to drag her away. Maz joined the heroine. It was like a tug of war.
"Hang on, Kelly! We'll save you!" Maz screamed.
"Guys... Leave..." she told quietly, smiling at Maz. "I'll be alright. Don't risk yourselves for me..."
"No, we can't!" Maz shouted.
"I won't be able to look in mom and dad eyes after this!" SheZow added. Kelly closed her eyes and kept smiling.
"Just go... You must make a better plan to save the day..." she relaxed her hand, and it slipped away from Maz and SheZow's grasp. Maz was about to cry.
SheZow grabbed Maz like a bag of vegetables and jolted out of the museum. She jumped and again used her Ribbon Shooter to pull herself in the air - this time, she got on the nearby roof this way.
From above, they saw how a horde of monsters went out on the streets. They were capturing humans and either turning them into new monsters or just carrying them, aiming to catch more. To heroes shock, the vampires turned out to have an ability to turn into huge bats and thus fly, becoming an air threat.
"So, what should we do?" Maz whispered, as they hid from few flying vampires behind the ventilation box. "What would this "better plan" be?"
"We first must hide and find out more about our new enemy." SheZow replied. "This witch said something about the "key"... If we find out more of her possible greater plans, then we'll know how to prevent them from happening..." SheZow turned her head to her friend and saw a lot of worry on his face. "Don't worry so much about Kelly..." she placed her hand on his shoulder. "We will save her, I promise..." she sighed. "Any ideas where we can hide? She-Lair is not an option, mom and dad will definitely suspect something if we arrive home without Kelly..."
"I might know the place... It's like a She-Lair, but... Less advanced" Maz told. "I'll show you the way, but we must be careful, to not get ambushed by these creeps..."
"Navigate me, I'll be making the way" SheZow said with a smile. She helped Maz to get on her like a baby koala and took off her place. Thus, she began to move between the buildings, using her Ribbon Shooters and super-high agility to stay in the air.
"Almost there, better get down" Maz said after a few minutes of the way. SheZow slowly went down to the ground, and Maz got off her.
"Now follow me, we're gonna be there soon" Maz added.
"So, where are we actually going?" SheZow asked, looking around.
"You'll see..." Maz replied, stopping and looking from behind the building wall. "Okay, the cost is clear, we can go" he said, and both proceeded to go on the street. "Here we are" he said, and SheZow saw that they were in front of the small house. "Um... Welcome to my home. Come in..." Maz awkwardly said.
"Yeah, sure" SheZow replied, awkward as well, and they both entered.
"Maz, that's you? I thought you went to spend the night with your friends. I didn't expect you to come back so early..." male voice sounded from the back room.
"You'll see why, bro!" Maz replied. "We need help here!"
"We? Who are "we"? I thought we-" the voice became more clear as the person got closer, and soon SheZow saw a young man, pretty similar to Maz, but still a little different looking. His hair were longer than Maz's and eyes were teal, plus he wore glasses. He also had a little amount of facial hair above his lips and on the chin. He froze in awe as he noticed the pink heroine.
"Oh my Goodness..." he stuttered. "You're Sh-sh-SheZow?!"
"Yes, bro, SheZow is here" Maz said with a serious face.
"We needed a place to hide, so Hell Boy brought me here. But I can't understand what help can we find here...?" SheZow added.
"I'll explain, SheZow" Maz reassured her. "Now, let me introduce him" he pointed his hands on the young man. "It's Rex, my older brother, he's an aspiring student as well as a future historian, and also has big research in paranormal events" as Maz spoke, Rex blushed and smiled shyly. "And since you're so skilled in looking up various info, bro, we need your help.
"Oh, so that's what you need" Rex said cheerfully. "Anything for the best heroine!" he was looking excited. "So, what exactly should I find?"
"We need the information about a witch from Arthurian times called "Broujah" SheZow answered. "If we find enough, then we'll be able to defeat her, as she's in the city and committing chaos."
"Got this" Rex said, adjusting his glasses. "Let's go to the room of wonders and work!"
They all went to the half-closed room. As they entered, SheZow realized that there're no lights in the room except dozens of computer screens.
"Rex, I thought we talked about it..." Maz said reproachfully. "You better use just one computer, but install some lights here, you already have bad eyesight..."
"You know, bro, I have so much work here..." Rex replied with a smile. "I always forget to do this. Besides, it's easier for me to use multiple screens..." he sat down before one of the screens and prepared to type. "I'll be as fast as I can, but piling up all the information I can find will still take a while... So wait, please" he said, typing the needed topic in the search window.
"Yeah, but we don't have much time..." Maz whispered. SheZow looked down concerned.
"If only there could be Sheila to assist him..." she thought. Suddenly, she fell some tingle in her head, She-Sense played up. But no danger was around, which concerned the heroine even more. She felt that she must check her Beautility Belt, and so she did, taking a small device from in. It was a little communication device, the one usually placed in the ear. She placed it in hers.
"SheZow! Come in!" the familiar computer voice sounded there.
"Sheila, is that you?" the heroine whispered.
"Yes, it's me. I sensed you needed my help, so I sent a signal for the She-Sense. I am an AI, but I still can forget things... For some reason... I should have warned you about the communicator from the beginning..."
"It's not the right time for lamenting, Sheila" SheZow cut her quietly. "We really need help here. I'm in Maz's house, I need you to link with his brother's computers and help him search and pile up the information."
"On it, SheZow" Sheila replied.
"Woo, I'm lucky tonight!" Rex exclaimed, scrolling through the text. "The useful links are so close to each other. Looks like the process gonna be very quick..."
"Yes!" Maz quietly said.
"Thank you, Sheila..." SheZow thought, smiling. Few minutes later, Rex slid away from the screen on his office chair, putting up hands in victorious gesture - or maybe he was just stretching.
"Everything's done!" he exclaimed, then quickly got back to the screen. "So, here what I found..." Maz and SheZow approached the screen too, as Rex began to read. "Here's the legend from old writings of those times: the kingdom of Arthur was swarmed by witches, as they slowly took over the territories. Witches didn't have any hierarchy in their society, but some names remained in history - like Broujah's. King Arthur tried to oppose the witches along with his Saint Knights, but their power wasn't enough to succeed. It changed when the help came from abroad. The king traveled the lands, seeking for new partner monarchies, and discovered an old Amazonian tribe, led by the fair princess..."
"It sounds like a fanfic " Maz said, but was shunned by Shezow. Rex continued:
"The Princess had great strength and other supernatural abilities, and she was a masterful warrior. Some said she had this power from Gods, and others said that the source of her power was a little pink gemstone encased in her crown. Anyways, whenever she wished, her body got covered in pink warrior garment, and she rushed into battle at full force. Of course, king couldn't hesitate any second to unite with the tribe. Together with king's knights, amazons and their Princess decreased witches reign over the kingdom. All of them were encased into stone and hidden deep in Earth's bowels. To contain the magic that kept them trapped, Amazonian Princess used her energy to create a special gemstone and sealed it with a spell. Only the one holding the same or the similar power as hers could break the seal. And if such an event occur, the closest witch or the one witch whose name was spoken, would be set free from the stone shackles, and nothing would stop the chaos, as the witch would try to gather energy from all living creatures around and break the seal on the gemstone forever, releasing all other witches in the world."
"Oh Gosh..." SheZow murmured. "So now the world is doomed?"
"Speaking of that, here's something else..." Rex scrolled the page and continued. "However, storing the energy takes pretty long, and a lot of creatures must be drained to get it as fast as possible. The only way to speed up the process is use the one who set the witch free, since they must have the power close to the one the Amazonian Princess had, and it was immense. On the other hand, the same person can put an end to it and encase the witch back in stone once again. All they need is to get the gemstone and cast a spell..."
"And?" Maz eagerly asked, noticing that his brother stopped.
"That's all" Rex told, much to shock of the both. "No information was found about what exact spell it is." he noticed that both his brother and SheZow look pretty down. "I'm sorry, but there's nothing else I can offer..."
"You did your best... Rex" SheZow said. "It still helps enough. Now we know that we just have to get the relic and use it to stop Broujah..."
"Wait, you know where the gemstone is?" Rex jumped up his chair. "I mean, you told that Broujah is here in the city..."
"She was freed right in the place where the gemstone was kept - in the museum" SheZow explained. "The relic, along with the statue - well, now we know it wasn't just a statue, but the trapped witch, - was brought there for the holiday..."
"This is crazy..." Rex rubbed his eyes. "The legends are going alive right before us..."
"Yeah, that's a lot..." SheZow said with a sigh. "Anyways, thank you very much for your help. Now we know what to do..." the heroine headed to the door. "Kelly, hold on, we're going..." she whispered. Maz was about to follow, but Rex grabbed his shoulder.
"Who said you're going alone?" he said with a smirk. "The sensation is happening and I now have the chance to witness it! I must go too!"
"No, brother, it's too dangerous. This witch summoned a lot of monsters, and they're now capturing every single human they see..." Maz told, shaking off Rex's hand. "I don't want you to get caught."
"Well, and I don't want YOU to get caught!" Rex now grabbed Maz's both shoulders. "If it's so dangerous, then I can't let you go, Maz!" Rex looked the brother in the eyes with a worried face. "I won't stand if I lose you too..."
"I'm sorry, bro..." Maz said, freeing himself from brother's grasp. "I can't stay. SheZow needs my help, I can't leave the hero alone on her duty."
"She's a superhero, Maz..." Rex said. "And you're not super..."
"Rex, you can let him go..." SheZow said, approaching the two. "I know your brother pretty well, he helped me a few times before. He's the best sidekick I ever had..." SheZow winked to Maz as he smiled in response.
"If so... I..." Rex was reluctant, but then just sighed. "Fine... Just be careful, Maz"
"You can be sure in me, bro" Maz said, adjusting his coat in a cool manner. "And it's Hell Boy for you. Remember though - nobody should know that I am SheZow's sidekick, okay?"
Rex just smiled and nodded, and the heroine and the sidekick headed to the entrance, ready to leave the house.
Avoiding the monsters on the streets, Maz and SheZow made their way back to the museum. As they suspected, Broujah haven't left the place and will be performing her ritual there. They were correct - the building was surrounded by motionless figures of various terrifying creatures and the unnatural clouds were floating above the roof.
"Ugh, this gonna hurt..." SheZow muttered. "Gotta use the safer way through the roof..."
"Heh, like in those spy movies..." Maz chuckled. He clung to SheZow as she jumped as strong as possible to got from one roof to another. Fortunately, monsters haven't noticed them - the ground ones haven't even looked up, and both could hide between ventilation boxes before flying vampires could see them. SheZow quietly pulled out the grill and both got inside the vent.
"Hey, Maz, I have a quick question, I'm sorry if it's touchy..." SheZow whispered as they proceeded in crawling through the ventilation way, looking for the room to get out. "I see that you're living with your brother, but I haven't seen any family pictures, and not even a sign of more rooms... So where are your parents?"
"Well..." Maz sighed. "They're gone."
"Gone, like... Left to travel? Or gone like... Forever gone? Like no more..."
"Most likely gone like dead... Or missing. The latter is official version, all I know is that one day they just disappeared, and since then Rex has been the one to take care of me and house... He tried his best to find them at first, but to no avail..." Maz was looking saddened by recalling such a fact.
"Oh..." SheZow felt herself very sad. "I am so sorry to hear this..." she came to realization that she haven't known much about her friend, even when not on hero's duty. It sort of hurt that she have never even been interested in his family, and now she got to know such a crucial information like this... Maz noticed her concerns and faintly smiled.
"You shouldn't be so worried..." he said. "Even without them, I still got Rex. He's a cool bro, maybe really childish at times, but he is working hard to keep our living decent at least. I wish that when I grow up, I could also take care of him..."
The two stopped at their chit-chat as they went further in the vent. SheZow strained her enhanced senses to hear every sound from outside the tight place. While they were passing by one of the grills, the heroine heard the sounds of the fuss. She turned back and gestured Maz to be quiet, as she herself took off the grill as careful as she could and looked in the room.
The room was filled by people sitting by the walls. They were tied, some unconscious and some awake, frantically looking around. In the center two monsters - the werewolf and the zombie - were standing, looking ready to pounce at anyone who dare to move. Among the people, SheZow noticed Kelly.
"Maz, we're here" SheZow whispered right into Maz's ear. "Here's the plan: I go down and try to disable those freaks as quickly as I can, and then I'll go fight the witch. You take care of leading people out of here. Try to avoid the monsters in the halls. Got it?"
Maz gestured that he does. SheZow nodded and jumped in the hole, immediately dragging all attention. Werewolf growled and pounced at her, but she dodged the attack, knocking it down with the swipe kick and quickly tieing it up with her ribbons. As she finished, she immediately engaged in combat with the zombie, also quickly disabling it. Meanwhile, Maz also got down and approached Kelly. She noticed him immediately.
"Maz! You're back!" she said happily.
"Me and Guy couldn't leave you here" he softly said while trying to free her hands. "We know about what Broujah's gonna do, so we must take all the people outta here and then help Guy to defeat that witch." as he finished untangling the ropes, he took Kelly's hands and looked right in her eyes. "I'm glad you're okay..." he helped her get up. "Now we must free the others."
"Yeah, we gotta-" Kelly stopped as she looked around. "Wait, where's Guy?"
"I guess he went to fight Broujah as we take people outta here..." Maz replied.
"I hope he's gonna be okay..." Kelly said. Both began to quickly help people free from the ties, and soon everybody was on their feet.
"Alright, people, follow me. We must get outta here as soon as possible" Maz said. People followed him, and they got in the hall.
They carefully yet fast passed the hall, sometimes waiting for some monster behind the turn to look away from them. Thus, they quickly got to the big hall room of the museum. Maz noticed that SheZow was also there.
"You're here, guys?" SheZow said surprisedly.
"Yeah, we're heading to the entrance" Maz explained. "I'm surprised that YOU are here..."
"I can't find that witch..." SheZow replied. "Like she disappeared from here..."
"That's good for us" Kelly added. "We have nothing to stop us from leaving..."
"You're right, Kel" SheZow responded. "Let's go then."
The trio and the other people headed to the entrance, SheZow was about to open the doors. But as she was few inches from touching the knob, the ground began to shake. SheZow backed away from the door, which was right thing to do - the vines burst from the ground, blocking the door. The door on the other end of the hall also got blocked. The laughter sounded and the familiar figure appeared right in the middle of the hall.
"You fools !" the witch exclaimed evilly. "Did you really thought I'd let you go that easy? I may be more than one and a half thousand years old, but I'm not stupid! This is my trap!" she raised her hands, calling upon more vines, which began to tangle people in the room. "Now, as you all are here, it's time to prepare the ritual!" two big monsters appeared, carrying the pillar with the gemstone.
The vines were about to get the heroine, but she dodged them, slicing with her Laser Lipstick. She then rushed to the witch, attempting to attack, but missed and was thrown away by the orange beam of magic.
"Don't waste your strength on struggling, heroine" Broujah devilishly said. "I know exactly who you are..."
"Oh, really?" SheZow replied daringly. "Spill it up, I'd like to hear some history from the witness of the events!" she again tried to attack, but the witch blocked her thrust by the familiar magical rings, now serving as shields.
"You're the successor of that Amazonian Princess that helped King's Knights to defeat me and my sisters!" the witch said with anger in her voice. "I remember our battle... That was a shameful defeat... But I'm not going to lose this time! Your power will be sucked fully, you'll be dried like a river during the hard drought!" She threw few beams in the heroine, but she dodged them and again attacked, only to be blocked. "These people were talking of her so high... As she got her immense powers by the Amazonian Gods themselves. Ha! Idiots!" she thrust with her shields especially strong, pushing the heroine away. "Even if these Gods existed, they wouldn't be so generous to gift a simple princess with such a power! I felt exactly what her secret was! That gemstone in her crown!" she aimed her hands at SheZow. "I feel the very same energy... You're radiating it... But I can't see the stone... Either this stone isn't one of a kind, or it now has different place to be placed in..." SheZow looked at her ring with a concerned look on her face. "Doesn't matter... I'm still gonna defeat you and free my sisters! The witches reign will bloom with new force!" Broujah laughed maniacally.
"We'll see!" SheZow rushed at her again, but Broujah flew up in the air, also taking the pillar with her.
"Enough of this!" she exclaimed. "We're ready!" SheZow looked around and noticed that most of the people are captured by the vines. Right at the time they were about to tangle Kelly and Maz.
"Not again!" SheZow groaned and rushed to help friends. But the vines quickly chased her, wrapping around her legs and arms. SheZow began to struggle to free herself. However, the ties were strong. The vines already got Maz and Kelly, and they were holding each other's hands, trying to not let the vines separate them.
"NOOO!" SheZow screamed.
Suddenly, she heard the steps. Quick and loud steps. As she looked to the side, she saw Rex running closer to the sight. She also noticed that the ventilation hole near the door was open - looks like he got in the hall from up there and climbed down the vines.
He stopped and aimed something at the pumpkin heads of the vine monsters - as SheZow took a closer look, she saw it was a revolver.
"Let go off my friends!" Rex yelled angrily and pulled the trigger. The bullet somehow made the pumpkin heads blow to bits, and vines let go off SheZow. She freed herself and looked at Rex very surprisedly .
"How are..." she was about to spill out tons of questions, but he glared at her strictly.
"Questions later, now take care of the witch! I'll handle the vines!" SheZow nodded and aimed at the witch. "Nobody touches my brother!" Rex shouted, taking down the vines that held Kelly and Maz.
"You little nuisance!" Broujah growled. "Get him, my minions!" she waved her hands and the vines on the doors drifted apart, allowing the doors to open and hordes of monsters to get in. But as she was concentrated on it, SheZow got up to the ceiling with her Ribbon Shooters.
"You won't win, pink heroine!" the witch said, moving her attention to her. "You can't defeat me!"
"Maybe I'm not as old as you are, sugarcube " SheZow smirked. "But I know about a lot of modern tricks! Yours are outdated!" she jumped at the witch, who immediately blocked the strike by her shields.
"Is that all?" Broujah said angrily. "Not impressive! Tricks used to be better before..."
"That's not the trick" SheZow smiled. "That is! Rex, a little help here! The gem!" she looked down at Rex.
"Got it!" he responded, aiming his revolver and shooting. The bullet hit the green gemstone and it fell from its place off the pillar.
"What?! No!" Broujah screamed in terror.
"Say good night, hun" SheZow giggled and jumped down, catching the gemstone by her ribbon. Broujah got down immediately and prepared to cast some spell at her, but as soon as SheZow touched the gem, she heard the words in her head. She repeated them accurately.
"Pink force pierced the poisonous heart, so evil chains are falling apart, the chaos is tamed, the witch is seized, the hero can rejoice in peace, all beasts are no longer alive, and cursed brought back to normal life" she spoke firmly. Broujah's magic circles begin to flicker and fade.
"NOOO!" she screamed, trying to make a move, but her feet were quickly turning stone.
"By the way, Broujah..." SheZow looked at her victoriously. "I'm not just a pink heroine... I am SheZow."
"So that's how you're called now..." the witch grumbled. "Well, then mark my words, SheZow! I will return some day! And you will be defeated! I mean it-" before she could actually finish the phrase, her body turned stone fully.
"I'll be ready..." SheZow whispered and looked around, seeing how everything Broujah created is turning back to normal.
The vines turned into dust, some monsters just vanished in a flash and some turned back to humans.
"Ugh..." the familiar voice sounded, and SheZow looked back to see professor Lorey behind her, who was standing up the ground. "What happened? And what time is-" he stopped, looking at his watch with a shocked expression. "How is it almost nine in the evening! I must be at the bookstore to sign the books of my fans!" he got up and rushed to the entrance. SheZow looked through the crowd and quickly found Kelly and Maz.
"Guys, are you okay?" she asked quiet enough so nobody around could hear them, but loud enough for the two to hear what she's saying.
"We are..." Kelly responded, breathing heavily. "Tonight was totally insane..."
"I can't agree more..." Maz joined her. "That's what I call a really spooky holiday..."
"That's right" SheZow told them. "But I'm really happy that now everything is fine..." she took a deep breath. "I heard professor Lorey saying it's almost nine in the evening..."
"And?" Maz and Kelly asked confusedly.
"We have one hour to actually have fun" SheZow winked.
"Fair" Kelly smiled. "Glad to see you got the Halloween spirit now."
"Even a hero needs a little rest" Maz stretched. "By the way..." he got a little concerned look. "Where's the gemstone?"
"Oh, it's right..." SheZow was about to say "right in my hand", suddenly she realized that she's not holding anything. "Um..." she looked on the ground in fear. "Looks like I lost it..."
"Ugh, seriously?!" Kelly was about to snap, but Maz placed his hands on friends' shoulders.
"We have done enough tonight, guys" he said. "I don't think we should worry about the gemstone. I just asked, but if it's not with us - not a problem. Even if anybody finds it, they won't do anything. Only Guy can read the spell that can free Broujah, so we're safe..."
"But..." Kelly still was a little angry, but as she saw Maz's sweet look in the eyes, she just exhaled and smiled. "Yeah, Maz, you're right..."
"Let's go have some fun then!" SheZow said.
The trio (with Guy already transformed back to his normal look) approached Maz's house and pressed the button of the doorbell. The Halloween decorations, which were off when Guy and Maz arrived here previously, now were on and glowing brightly.
"Your brother Rex did a god job at decorations, Maz" Guy said to his friend.
"Maz's who?" Kelly asked, as she never heard Rex's name before.
"I'll explain later" Guy responded. The door got open and the kids saw Rex, dressed in a mad scientist costume.
"Trick or treat!" they all shouted at him, as he just laughed.
"Aha, little kids arrived to my dwelling and lab to get some treats!" Rex responded, acting like an evil scientist. "Your costumes impress me, you deserve the treat!" he gave them candies, adding more to what they already had in their bags.
"Thanks, bro" Maz said. "I'm gonna spend more time with them and then I'll come back. Don't worry about me."
"No problem, bro" Rex responded. "Who are your friends, by the way?"
"That's Guy, you know about him" Maz pointed his hand on Guy. "And this is Kelly, Guy's sister."
"Ah, so you are Guy..." Rex said, looking at Guy. "Maz told me about you. Told a lot" he winked, as Maz smiled awkwardly. "According to him, you both are a very good friends..." Rex smiled. "I'm happy to know that my bro has friends" he moved to Kelly. "It's a pleasure to meet you too, young lady."
"Same by me, um..." Kelly paused a little, trying to come up with a good address. "Mr. Kepler."
"Oh, just call me Rex" young man reassured her.
"We gotta go, guys" Maz said. "Bye, bro! See you!"
"You too, Maz!" Rex replied as the kids left. As soon as they went far enough from the house, he closed the door and took a green gemstone out of his pocket.
"Now let's take a closer look at this baby..." he said, smiling like he's planning something bad. "The research gonna have a huge development..." but as he got in his room, he noticed that he actually opened a site to watch a movie about mummies. "On second thought, it's a holiday, the work can wait" he said cheerfully, putting the gem back to his pocket and starting a movie.
An hour later, the kids were in the She-Lair, relaxing. They were having fun, Kelly got so bubbly that she tossed a handful of candies in the air. Maz and Guy were confused at first, but then they just did the same, following the girl's good mood.
"Happy Halloween, boys!" Kelly exclaimed, giving both a tight hug afterwards. "Thank you for coming with me. Without you two, this night would be just boring."
"No problem, Kel" Guy responded.
"We're team after all, we gotta share our adventures" Maz added. "Happy Halloween to you too."
"And Happy Halloween for our good friend Sheila!" Guy winked and fingergunned at the giant monitor. The lips on it smiled, showing thematic vampire fangs.
"Happy Halloween, kids!" she said.